Codiaeum 'AFD 5'

This oak-leaf croton has green and red leaves with yellow veins and occasional spots. It has an elegant compact bushy growth habit. Some synonyms of AFD #5  are Karen, Fantasy and Fantasia.

What does AFD mean?

AFD means "Azienda Floreale Diem", an Italian nursery that obtained this cultivar as a hybrid back in the 1970's. Some of their crotons include: AFD 5, AFD 6, AFD 7, AFD 8, AFD 9, AFD 10, Excellent, Norma and Petra. This company belonged to Wolfgang Bock and was based in Camporosso, Liguria, by the boundary with the French Riviera.

About crotons or codiaeums

Codiaeum shrubs are often commonly called crotons, and widely used in tropical gardens, because of their colourful glossy leaves. They are also cultivated as house plants througout the world. They are shrubs native to Malaysia and the larger islands in the Pacific. Crotons natural habitat is open forests and thickets. They do stand shade for months as well as indoor conditions, but they will grow best in high light and will enjoy some hours of direct sunlight. They are very good house plants for a bright room and will stand the dry air of heating much better than other plants. Allow the soil surface to dry slightly between watering. Crotons are sensitive to cold and should be kept above 8 C. They enjoy tropical or subtropical conditions, while they do not grow outdoors in the Mediterranean.